Methods

We studied BK coronary outflow in buffer-perfused isolated working hearts before and after global ischemia in both strains (n=6). To investigate the significance of changes in BK outflow levels, we analyzed LV function in vivo by using a conductance-micromanometry catheter (1.4 F) to obtain pressure-volume loops under basal and under isoproteronol stress conditions 6 days after indcuction of myocardial infaction (MI) or sham operation in all groups (n=6). In addition, we analyzed LV function and cardiac morphology by echocardiography 3 weeks post MI (n=6).